What Matters Most to You, and Why?

What matters most to you, and why?

        Which is the most important part of the human body? Surely, the one without which living is impossible. But is there really one correct answer to that? Happiness? No, peace. Respect, possibly? Maybe love? Contentment? Or family and friends? Which is the ONE most important to me? Quite appropriately, I was reminded of nearly two decades ago when I was at a candy store faced with a similar dilemma. Which one should I pick? Interestingly enough, the solution in both cases happens to be the same. The all-in-one flavor candy - Efficiency. Allow me a few (hundred) words to elaborate.

        We all know about the 'all work and no play' deal. However, over 24.5 years of introspection tells me - All play and no work would make Shashank a very happy boy! But before the thought "Stanford does not admit lazy, lethargic work-shirking slackers" crosses your mind (and my candidacy goes for a toss), let me clarify. I refer to the wise Tom Sawyer's definitions of 'work' and 'play'. Work is anything that a person is obliged to do, and play is what he is not (note: I do NOT feel obliged to attend GSB Stanford). With much more experience than what one may imagine to credit me with, I know with absolute conviction that high efficiency matters the most to me.

        Efficiency = Output / Input. Simple, clearer and more informative, yet sadly not a very popular metric. For instance, if we do not achieve results, well our work isn't worth discussing. But if we do, apparently it is too worthy for a petty thing such as 'discussion' anyway. Its the results only that seem to matter, the output. What about the input? Let me further illustrate. When working with Cisco Systems, I put in eight hours daily. I cannot recall too many days of overtime. A colleague of mine (very nice, sincere fellow) did 12-16 hours a day. Honest. At the end of the year, we get the same performance rating, have fairly equal (and impressive) statistics, he gets a negligibly higher year-end bonus and we are both offered the same grade and pay hike. On the other hand, he has put on 25 pounds, I have developed six-packs, am on Cisco's soccer team, have seen every released movie, become quite the ping-pong pro, put in dozens of cherished hours of community work to be recognized as a proud 'Cisco Volunteer' and jumped off a plane 12000 feet above the Palm Jumeirah, amongst several other things. From Cisco's viewpoint, his achievements are $200 worth more, sure, but thats just a part of the numerator. Isn't it smarter to notice either the complete numerator, or at least the specific denominator (8hrs v/s 16hrs)?

        All throughout my academic years, I've scored quite well in studies, led and won several team sports and athletics, displayed much appreciated group talents on stage, been commendable in academic extracurriculars and even played three musical instruments decently. Thats a lot of things (numerator) for a guy having the usual 24 hours a day (denominator). I feel being efficient most importantly results in more time available to do more things you are not obliged to do. More time means you are happier. It means more time with family and friends, more satisfaction, more respect, being more loved and at peace, all the flavors. Everyone has in their closet, a heavy box labelled "Someday I will", carefully tucked away, protected by naphthalene balls manufactured by the firm "There is no time now". Tragically, by the time most people do get around to opening that box, they are too old or poor or lazy or tired for any of its contents. High efficiency ensures I am NOT "most people".

What do you want to do - REALLY - and why Stanford?

        When I graduated, I wanted to earn a lot of money. And I did. My job with Cisco Systems made me among the top five paid guys in college and topmost paid in my branch. It took me a year to realize though, that this wasn't what I REALLY wanted. I was well qualified intellectually, and the work challenged my people skills too. But very slightly, I felt I like a fish trying to climb a tree. Not that I wasn't good at climbing, still, I REALLY wanted to swim. And then, I did.

        I quit, and at less than half the pay, started marketing for a small firm. The luxury has disappeared, the ease of American work culture has vanished, all replaced by struggle. But I am swimming. I develop infrastructure, lead global expansion from the ground up and distinctly contribute to the firm's revenue as an individual. My ideas make visible impacts. I change 8 year old mathematical models used for finances and marketing and 14 year old technical reasonings with fresh and basic ideas. I lead teams which help add countries and continents to the company portfolio. This is what I really want to do on a larger scale. I have a significant skill-set which I wish to fully utilize, and magnify. I want to lead and manage hundreds instead of a dozen, help generate 9 figures instead of 6. I aspire to be Director at Cisco Systems or Apple, where I will get a chance to innovate and lead with new ideas that would create a solid impact in similar percentages as I do currently. Maybe two decades from now, I plan to establish a high school in my hometown. Teaching is my greatest passion and in my opinion, the biggest community service. High school is the time when the brain is quickest and most impressionable.

        I had the good luck of visiting Stanford last december, and I know it is my next step. The required critical analytical thinking, personal leadership development classes, GER and the self-directed job searches fall smack inline with my goals. More importantly, in my opinion, the intensely varied and richly experienced class at Stanford is unmatched. I have interacted personally with quite a few b-school alumni, both socially and professionally. I think the Stanford products outrank the others comprehensively. For me, this is the most important reason; this and the fact that Stanford is 'dedicated to the things that haven't happened yet and to the people who will dream them up'. It makes me believe there is a synergy possible here, between Stanford and me. This particular "people", I'm sure I am.